About a year ago, chronically homeless people in Guilford County began moving from the street into permanent housing, with the help of housing support teams, as part of a state-funded pilot program. Dozens of my homeless friends have moved into housing. That is great and exciting, and I am thankful. … > read more
In this article about a local homeless man who left town, a homeless service provider said: “Most true homeless are disabled — especially mentally. They don’t hold up a sign.” I think she was saying that the majority of unsheltered homeless people are not standing on street corners holding “homeless … > read more
When I go and speak to groups about homelessness, one of the first questions I’m asked is: “Do you know that guy on the bench at Friendly?” His name is Mark, and he’s been called “the true face of homelessness” and “the most visible homeless person in Greensboro.” For residents … > read more
The Homeless Prevention Coalition of Guilford County has released final numbers from the January 2008 point in time count of the homeless. But the totals counted don’t tell the whole story. » View official 2008 homeless count numbers for Guilford County According to the official count, there are 101 chronically … > read more
“A 20-week group therapy program focusing on cognitive behavioral and skills training, when used in conjunction with usual care, helped reduce symptoms of borderline personality disorder and improve overall functioning, reported NIMH-funded researchers. Their findings were published online February 15, 2008 in the American Journal of Psychiatry. Borderline personality disorder … > read more
Young people fighting in school, dropping out of school or joining gangs and committing crimes are a frequent topic of discussion in local media and public forums. There’s a lot of talk about increasing programs for youth, like parks and rec, and getting the “faith community” involved. While I agree … > read more
A mental health advocate and I discussed the recent killing of a pregnant police officer by a paranoid schizophrenic who had recently been released from a state mental institution — even though he had expressed homicidal intentions while in the state’s care. In my opinion, the officer’s tragic death reveals … > read more
“They may be out there, but there’s not many of them out there… If you know where there’s a veteran sleeping under a bridge, you call me immediately and we’ll make sure that man does not do it.” — Bill O’Reilly, “The O’Reilly Factor,” Fox News If anyone can give … > read more
With forecast temps in the 20′s tonight and the teens tomorrow night, unsheltered homeless folks could die sleeping outside: In the United States, hypothermia is primarily an urban phenomenon associated with alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness, and cold-water immersion accidents. The victims are often homeless male alcoholics. (source) Deb (from … > read more
From Kevin Barbieux, “The Homeless Guy,” in Nashville: “…At the rescue mission, people are treated rather poorly, and this poor treatment negatively effects homeless people’s emotional state. Besides that, the rescue mission is an uncomfortable place to be. The only advantage to staying at the mission is that they keep … > read more